Persistent Acid Reflux: When Should I Consider Robotic Surgery?

Persistent acid reflux can interfere with your quality of life and increase your risk for potentially life-threatening complications, including esophageal cancer. If medications and lifestyle modifications aren’t working well to control the frequency of acid reflux, robotic surgery may be the next step.

At Sierra Pacific Surgical, we specialize in the latest surgery techniques to treat the root cause of acid reflux, so you can achieve lasting relief from heartburn and other symptoms.

Our skilled surgeons are highly trained in minimally invasive robotic surgery technologies, including the da Vinci® Surgical System, to ensure your procedure is successful and your recovery time is minimal.

Why you have persistent acid reflux

Acid reflux describes the backflow of acids from the stomach into the esophagus. The condition typically results from weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that opens to let food pass through and closes to keep acids in the stomach.

LES weakness can be a side effect of obesity, pregnancy, or a hiatal hernia — a condition where the top of the stomach pushes through a weak spot in the diaphragm. When the LES doesn’t close fully, acids can flow backwards into the upper gastrointestinal tract.

The acids can irritate the esophageal lining, causing symptoms like:

• Sore throat
• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Swallowing problems
• Persistent cough
• Sour taste in the mouth
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms can get worse when you’re lying down, causing difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep.

When acid reflux is frequent or severe, it’s known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition can lead to cellular changes in the esophageal lining that increase risk factors for cancer.

Nonsurgical treatments for acid reflux and GERD

Initially, treatment for acid reflux involves medications that neutralize stomach acids and decrease stomach acid production. You may also benefit from antacids that neutralize stomach acids to provide fast relief from heartburn and related symptoms.

Lifestyle and diet changes are also an important part of a treatment plan for acid reflux and GERD. You should avoid certain foods and drinks, such as chocolate, peppermint, fatty or fried foods, and alcohol, that trigger acid reflux symptoms.

Other strategies you can use to manage acid reflux include:

• Quitting smoking
• Losing weight
• Using mindful eating practices
• Eating smaller meals

When lifestyle changes aren’t working well to prevent acid reflux, our medical team can determine if you’re a candidate for surgery.

Surgical options for acid reflux and GERD

Our Sierra Pacific Surgical team uses the latest robotic surgical technologies to address the root cause of acid reflux and GERD. Recovery from robotic surgery is typically much faster than traditional open surgery with less risk for bleeding, infection, and pain.

During robotic surgery, your provider controls a set of robotic arms that allow them to operate with a high level of precision. The robotic arms hold small surgical instruments that fit through small incisions to repair esophageal tissue without damaging healthy tissue nearby.

If you have chronic acid reflux issues due to a hiatal hernia, we use minimally invasive robotic techniques to repair the hernia by repositioning the herniated tissue and reinforcing weak spots in the diaphragm.  

Our surgeons also use computer-assisted technologies to repair esophageal tissue damaged by stomach acids and to reduce risk factors for cancer. Additionally, they can remove excess scar tissue and widen the esophageal tract to improve swallowing.

Call the Sierra Pacific Surgical office in Roseville, El Dorado Hills, or Sacramento, California, today to find out if you’re a candidate for acid reflux surgery. You can also book a consultation online.